Risk is the season

Published: Friday, March 29, 2013 at 12:30 a.m.

Last Modified: Thursday, March 28, 2013 at 3:32 p.m.

Editor: The state of North Carolina is in the midst of a small scale War to prevent the release of Natural gas by fracturing the bedrock that contains these pockets of gas. Why? The short answer is risk. The gas is forced out of the ground with a mix of chemicals and in a lot of cases waste water. The questions that are largely left unanswered are what will this do to our ground water, our wells, springs and underground water aquifers. In the case of contamination, (the industry likes to say accidental) what means will be employed to correct this? There has been no way discussed or shown to reverse these adverse effects on our water. This in turn will affect the food chain for animals as well as man as the main source of fresh water is polluted.

Then we have to look at the air contamination. These carcinogenic chemicals that the industry refuses to identify even in a medical emergency, also release toxic gas into the breathable air. Not to mention the possible release of uncontrolled methane and propane gas. So far the prospects of drilling and fracturing for this gas is riding rough shod over environmental concerns. All for the sake of a few dollars.

No one has yet released any positive proof that there is enough of this much desired gas to make all this expense and potential destruction worth the risk. There is that word again. Risk. Are the people of this state aware of the risk facing them to let this drilling and fracking occur? Do they realize that the common man stands to gain little or nothing from these procedures. Even if there were a glut of this gas made available, the prices are fixed by the industry. Just because there is more of this gas, doesn't mean the price will go down as it should. It only allows more profits for an industry that seems immune to any controls by our government. We have seen what happens when artificial shortages of gasoline are allowed to be the storyline. The trouble is there is never a reverse, never an over abundance, as gas prices go ever higher. Why would anyone believe that the natural gas industry will be any different? When the board that North Carolina has set up to over see the permits for companies to do this fracking is loaded with people from this same industry, how can this be a fair and unbiased board. When we had at least one qualified member who might actually speak the truth he was removed. Show the public the fair and unbiased members who will be responsible when it comes time to issue permits. There are none. This group needs to scrapped and a neutral board put in its place. One that will not be back scratching when it comes time for the permits to be assigned.

<p>Editor: The state of North Carolina is in the midst of a small scale War to prevent the release of Natural gas by fracturing the bedrock that contains these pockets of gas. Why? The short answer is risk. The gas is forced out of the ground with a mix of chemicals and in a lot of cases waste water. The questions that are largely left unanswered are what will this do to our ground water, our wells, springs and underground water aquifers. In the case of contamination, (the industry likes to say accidental) what means will be employed to correct this? There has been no way discussed or shown to reverse these adverse effects on our water. This in turn will affect the food chain for animals as well as man as the main source of fresh water is polluted. </p><p>Then we have to look at the air contamination. These carcinogenic chemicals that the industry refuses to identify even in a medical emergency, also release toxic gas into the breathable air. Not to mention the possible release of uncontrolled methane and propane gas. So far the prospects of drilling and fracturing for this gas is riding rough shod over environmental concerns. All for the sake of a few dollars. </p><p>No one has yet released any positive proof that there is enough of this much desired gas to make all this expense and potential destruction worth the risk. There is that word again. Risk. Are the people of this state aware of the risk facing them to let this drilling and fracking occur? Do they realize that the common man stands to gain little or nothing from these procedures. Even if there were a glut of this gas made available, the prices are fixed by the industry. Just because there is more of this gas, doesn't mean the price will go down as it should. It only allows more profits for an industry that seems immune to any controls by our government. We have seen what happens when artificial shortages of gasoline are allowed to be the storyline. The trouble is there is never a reverse, never an over abundance, as gas prices go ever higher. Why would anyone believe that the natural gas industry will be any different? When the board that North Carolina has set up to over see the permits for companies to do this fracking is loaded with people from this same industry, how can this be a fair and unbiased board. When we had at least one qualified member who might actually speak the truth he was removed. Show the public the fair and unbiased members who will be responsible when it comes time to issue permits. There are none. This group needs to scrapped and a neutral board put in its place. One that will not be back scratching when it comes time for the permits to be assigned.</p><p>Walt Wilson</p><p>Tyro</p>